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NFL Insiders Mark Their 5 Biggest Impact Rookies For The 2020 Season | Launderer report

0 out of 5

    Butch Dill / Associated Press

    The 2020 NFL season will be unique in many ways. Major players are stepping down due to risks associated with COVID-19, while others are urged to adjust to new cities, new coaches and new playbooks.

    Even when given a Training camp and preseason to learn and work, it often takes a while for rookies to move from college to the NFL. Without it, the expectations of first-year players should be tempered in 2020.

    “We will see a lot of players increase their playing time,” said an AFC coach. “We felt really good in our draft class, but I wouldn’t want to tell you that none of them are going to produce immediate results.

    But when talking to NFL decision makers, running backs and passer should have the biggest impacts early in the season. A running back doesn’t have to know the entire playbook to enter and contribute. The same goes for a pass-rusher, which can rampage in situational pushes and produce sacks and haste.

    Which rookies do NFL coaches and scouts expect results from in 2020? These five stood out.

1 of 5

    Matthew Hinton / Associated Press

    “It’s probably obvious, but we felt he was the best running back in the class and could replace some of what we had lost in the post previously. There is talent for him. be a very good player from the start. ” – Member of the Kansas City Chiefs front office

    Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the first off-board running back in the 2020 draft, and he will be pushed into an even bigger role with outgoing starter Damien Williams stepping down from the season.

    On an offense featuring Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman stretching defenses vertically and tight end Travis Kelce as an elite threat in midfield, the Chiefs can now employ a running back who caught 55 passes at LSU last season (more than Henry Ruggs III for Alabama) and is a bowling ball between tackles.

    With Patrick Mahomes and the track team he has around him at the wide receiver spreading the defenses, Clyde the Glide will have plenty of room to run and a pass-catching skill set that makes him the best rookie to ever. both fantastically and real.

    Statistical projection: 225 carries, 1,035 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 58 catches, 550 yards, 4 touchdowns

2 of 5

    Rick Scuteri / Associated press

    “He’s going to CELEBRATE in this shot with that talent around him. You can’t pass just anyone on that line without a huge risk. It’s my pick for defensive rookie of the year.” – NFC Zone Scout

    Chase Young is good. Washington’s defensive line around him is too.

    It’s easy to look at Young’s talent and his situation and see him making an impact like his former college teammate Nick Bosa during his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers. Especially when you remember that the majority of scouts preferred Young to Bosa as a prospect.

    Young’s special blend of speed and power matched production and impact in college, though he sometimes faced triple teams from offensive lines. With his first-round colleagues Montez Sweat, Da’Ron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Ryan Kerrigan (not to mention Matt Ioannidis) by his side on the defensive line, the NFC East’s offensive tackles will face a tall order to stop. its outer speed run. .

    Projecting the No. 2 pick in the draft to have a great season isn’t a surprise, but based on conversations with coaches and scouts, expectations for Young are almost All-Pro. A Washington coach said “he’s the best player here” after glancing at Young during training camp practices.

    Statistical projection: 11 sacks, 25 hits, 45 rush

3 of 5

    John Raoux / Associated Press

    “Who else do they have? He’ll be the guy sooner, and from what I know of Sean [McVay’s] plan, they’re going to give it a lot of touches. “- NFC West defensive coach

    The Los Angeles Rams selected running back Darrell Henderson in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but with Todd Gurley limited last season, Henderson didn’t have much of an impact. Akers, the second round of Florida state, has a chance to reprise the role of starter.

    At 5’10 “and 217 pounds, Akers has the build to be an RB1, and he’s shown FSU the skill set as a runner and catcher out of the backfield to take on a heavy load of offense right from the start. out of the gate. Unlike many rookie running backs, he also showed a willingness and mastery of passing protection that could keep him on the pitch on the third down before other rookies were ready to stay. to protect the franchise quarters.

    There shouldn’t be huge statistical expectations for Akers behind a patchwork offensive line in Los Angeles, but it’s a similar situation he has faced at FSU. He still managed to rack up more than 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while catching 30 passes and adding four scores in the air last season.

    Statistical projection: 185 carries, 777 yards, 8 TD; 30 catches, 430 yards, 3 TD

4 out of 5

    Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press

    “I would expect Dugger to play the multidimensional security role in the role of Patrick Chung for the Patriots. Man-up TEs, play below as a thief, turn down to cut off the crusaders and also play the top as a deep half-defender – with the ability to pivot to the post.

    “Dugger has all the natural traits of the job, plus he has a rare size / speed combo. Without an offseason and reduced camp, and coming from level D-II, we could see Terrence Brooks start the season in [Patrick] Chung, but Dugger has the skills to take on that role. “- Matt Bowen, former security analyst in the NFL and ESPN

    With Patrick Chung opting out of the 2020 season, Bowen has hit the nail on the head here. The Patriots could ask Dugger to take on the role of Chung and take on a huge load in their high school.

    Like Chung, Dugger is a smart cover man who can lock in tight ends. But his athleticism as a three-down player could make him a potential upgrade. It can drop in the box, play as a post security target, or as a maneuver target.

    As one of the biggest sleepers in the 2020 class, Dugger will be propelled into a starting role and asked to make a big impact as a second-round pick.

    Statistical projection: 80 tackles, 2 INT, 1.5 bags

5 out of 5

    Wade Payne / Associated Press

    “He was one of my favorite guys under the radar, and when (Seattle) drafted him you knew he was going to be in a great position. Completely the opposite of the dude they drafted the last year (LJ Collier). ” – Scout of the AFC zone

    The Seattle Seahawks are good at putting defensive players in a production situation. Darrell Taylor’s situation is reminiscent of Bruce Irvin’s rookie year, when he wasn’t asked to be a full impact player, but still made his presence known as a situational passer. This is what Taylor can be in 2020.

    A first-step warrior with impressive speed and the ability to dive into the hands of blockers, Taylor’s speed will be an ideal fit outside of the offensive tackle in Seattle’s pattern. And while that’s not exactly the same position Irvin maintained throughout the day, the similarities in use should excite Seattle fans.

    Statistical projection: Eight sacks, 11 hits, 13 hits

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